Research shows that happiness is an essential nutrient for good health. And Bobby McFerrin’s song, Don’t Worry, Be Happy, hits the nail on the head.

Research on the Happy Brain Happy Heart Connection

Studies show that worry, depression or any other form of mental stress harms your health.

For example, a new 3-year study of 516 heart patients, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, showed that patients who were highly anxious faced nearly twice the risk of heart disease compared with those who were happy and positive.

What's more, those whose anxiety increased over time were in the greatest danger.

And patients who started out highly anxious, but learned to relax and be happy, dramatically decreased their risk of sudden death or heart attack.

"This study provides further insight into the complex connections between the brain and heart," said Dr. James Januzzi, professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.

Stop Worrying and Start Living

For myself, once I became interested in achieving good health and other goals, my first obstacle was myself – I was a “worry-wart.” And, it’s impossible to focus on what you want when you’re focused on what you don’t want.

That’s what it means to worry – to focus on the opposite of what you want.

Since happiness is the bottom line behind all goals, why not cut to the chase and start out being happy. And since worry doesn’t make anyone happy, why not give it up?

“But,” you may say, “how can I accomplish my goal if I don’t concern myself with how things are going?” Or, in other words, “Don’t I need to worry my way to success?”

The answer is an unequivocal “NO!”

Don't Worry Be Happy

As Oprah Winfrey said, “Before I had a lot of money, I was really quite happy. And I tell you this, although you may not believe it, I never would have gotten the money if I wasn’t happy to begin with. I never would have gotten it!”

In his book, How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, Dale Carnegie points out that worry serves no useful purpose. It solves nothing. This made me realize how important it is to consistently reach for positive, uplifting, inspirational thoughts – thoughts that make you feel good.

How do you learn to be happy? How can you shift from worry to happiness? It’s simple, but not necessarily easy. You must PAY the price of happiness.

And the price you have to PAY is ATTENTION!

Pay Attention to Your Feelings and Thoughts

And if your thoughts are those of worry and negativity, give them up. And PAY attention to whatever makes you feel happy, healthy and enthusiastic.

The true price of happiness is to PAY ATTENTION TO HAPPINESS. Focus on happy thoughts – whether they’re past memories, present blessings or future fantasies. Shifting your focus and managing what you PAY attention to takes practice. But happiness is well worth the price.

Note: The information contained on this website is not intended to be prescriptive. Any attempt to diagnose or treat an illness should come under the direction of a physician who is familiar with nutritional therapy.